Means for handling containers



July 1o, 1934. Q COFFEY 1,966,199

MEANS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed July 2, 1932 2 Sheets- Sheet l @L @0X X July l0, 1934. o. 1.. col--l--EY` MEANS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed July 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lil'. MMM WIHHWH.

Patented July 1G, 1934 STATES PATENT FFICE Corporation, Illinois Harvey,

Ill., a corporation of Application July 2, 1932, Serial No. 620,600

18 Claims.

lviy invention relates in general to carrying mechanism and has more particular reference to means Yfor and method of lifting, shifting, and operating the so-calied bulk containers for merchandise of all sorts.

The bulk container is a casing having an open bottoni closed by means of doors, there usually being two doors to a container, each covering half of the bottom of the container, and each hinged for swinging movement on the lower edges of opposite side walls of the casing. The doors are ordinarily held in closed position by the appiication oi an external force, which urges the doors to closed position against the weight of the contents of the container. When it is desired to empty the container, this external force is removed and the weight of the contents forces the doors to open thus permitting the contents to be dumped.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, yet rugged means for moving the container and at the same time for applying the external force that is necessary to keep the doors in closed position and to release the door-closing force when desired in order to dump the contents of the container.

Another important object is to provide a handling device for containers of the character described, which can be operated from a crane having a single hook.

important object of the invention is to baianee the weight of the container against the force required to keep the doors in closed position and to offset the balance in favor of the door closing force so that the weight of the container and its load operates to maintain the doors in closed position and further, in conjunction with the foregoing, to provide means for offsetting the condition of equilibrium to permit the doors to open.

Another important object resides in providing a frame for attachment to a single crane hook, said frame-carrying means being adapted to support a container of the class described, and means to hold the doors in closed position and alternately to permit the doors to open and including the control system whereby the opening and closing oi the container doors may be accomplished from the remote station from which the crane is manipulated.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of mechanism embodying my present invention for supporting the container on a single crane hook and operating the doors of the container;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 2 2 in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram illustrating a system for controlling the operation of the doors;

Figure 4 is an elevational View similar to Figure 1, showing a modified structure;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 4; and

Figures 6 and 7 are thumb nail perspective sketches illustrating the container supported for operation on apparatus similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

To illustrate my invention, I have shown on the drawings a bulk container 11 comprising a substantially rectangular casing having an opening in the top covered by a door 13, and having an open bottom closed by a pair of cooperating doors 15, each of which covers a half of the open bottom of the casing, said doors being hinged for swinging movement about the lower edge of opposed side walls of the container. The container may be swung and the doors 15 manipulated from a crane having a single hook 17, and one of the main advantages of the present invention resides in the fact that but one crane hook is necessary to accomplish the double purpose of raising the container and, at the same time, permitting the doors 15 to be operated.

rhe container-carrying and door-operating mechanism comprises a frame, which may be built of spaced apart channel irons 19, which are connected together in spaced apart parallel relationship in any suitable or preferred manner and provided with a slinging loop 21, by which the frame may be suspended on the crane hook 17.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, pivot pins 23 are mounted in opposite ends of the frame between the spaced members 19 thereof and carry winding reels 25, which are directly connected to the gears 27 by which the winding reels may be rotated from a counter shaft 29 driven by a motor 31, which is mounted on the frame in any suitable manner as by being bolted to the members 19.

The driving connection, between the counter shaft and motor, is preferably accomplished by a driving belt 33 mounted respectively on the motor shaft and on the counter shaft. At its opposite ends, the counter shaft has a driving con- 110 nection with worm gears 35, which in turn drive worm wheels 37 mounted for rotation with stop shafts 39 carrying driving pinions 41, which are supported in position to make driving engagement with the gears 27 so that, by operating the motor 31, the winding reels at opposite ends of the frame may be caused to rotate.

The reduction gears, comprising the worm gear 35 and the worm wheel 37, are mounted in suitable cases 43, which, in turn, are secured to the frame in any suitable manner as by bolting to the undersides of the members 19. The shaft 39 is journalled in bushings 45 mounted in the side walls cf the case 43 and the end of the shaft 39, carrying the pinion 4l, extends out of the casing in position to engage the pinion with the periphery of the gear 27.

The pins 23 also carry tilting frames 47 at opposite ends of the main frame. 'Ihese tilting frames 47 each comprise a pair of arms 49, pivotaliy mounted on a pin 23, and extend outwardly of the winding reel 25 and carry a pulley 5l between the outer ends of the arms 49.

The arms 49 extend inwardly to points adjacent the slinging loop 21 and thenceupwardly andare provided with a cross-piece 53, overlying the upper edge of the channel irons 19, with the extremities of the cross piece extending oppositelyand outwardly of the main frame and bent i downwardly to provide lugs 55, to which are attached preferably iiexible connectors 57, provided, at-their outer ends, with hooks 59.

It will thus be apparent .that there are foursuspension members .57, two of which are connectedto the lugs 55 on one tilting frame, while the other two connect on-the lugs of the other tilting frame and the hooks 59 may be connected to suitable loops 61 formed at the upper corners of the containers. Each winding reel 25 carries a flexible cord or rope 63 wound thereon and attached to the reel as at 65, the end of the cord 63 extending from the winding reel over the pulley 51, and hangs downwardly and is provided at its extremities with a hook 67. The hooks 67, at opposite ends of the main frame, are adapted to connect each with a exible chain 69 or other suitable connector, which passes downwardly preferably within the confines of the wall of the container 11, and has connection, at its lower end, with a corner of each of the doors 15, so that, when the chain 69 is raised, the doors will be drawn .to closed position, and conversely, when the chain is lowered, the doors will be permitted to open.

It will be apparent that, when the motor 31 is operated in one direction, the chains 69 on opposite sides of the container may be lowered to permit the doors to open, and that, when the motor is operated to rotate in the opposite direction, the chains will be raised to draw the doors to closed position. When the doors are in closed position, the tilting frames will be in the full line position shown in Figure l, while the dotted line shows the position of the frame when the doors are open. It will be obvious that, when the doors are closed, the weight of the container will operate, through the tilting frames, to furnish the force required to keep the doors closed` It is not, of course, entirely necessary to employ the tilting sub-frames 47, as the container suspension member 57 may, if desired, be attached to the main frame of the handling mechanism. The cord 63 also could be made to hang directly from the winding reel', but I prefer to employ the tilting sub-frames inorder to permit the weight of the container to assist in keeping the doors in closed position.

It will be noted that, when the members 63 are drawn up on the winding reel until the doors are in closed position, any further winding movement of the winding reel will cause a part of the weight of the container itself to be carried through the members 69.r rIhis will cause the tilting frames to tilt downwardly at their outermost ends, while the innermost parts 53, on which the containercarrying cords 57 are secured, will move upwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 1. When the winding reels, however, are moved to permit the doors to open, the tilting frames are rotated until the parts 53 thereof rest upon the main frame of the suspension device, at which instant, all the weight of the container will be carried through the suspension members 57. When the suspension frames are in equilibrium, however, that is to say, when the container is loaded and the doors are closed, a part of the weight of the load will be carried through the elements 57 instead of all the load being carried on the elements 69.

In order to operate the motor 31, I provide a system, such as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, whereby the motor 31 may be operated in one direction suiiiciently to permit the doors to open fully and to automatically stop the motor when such position is reached. The systernconsists of the power supply lines 71, having a switch 73 for operating the motor in a forward direction, and a reversing switch 75 for operating the motor in the opposite or reverse direction, said switches being preferably mounted in the cab of the crane from which the hook 17 is operated, the switches being connected to the motor 31 by means of a flexible cable 77 containing a sufficient number of conductors to connect the motor to the switches.

The switches may be mounted on the motor frame if desired. The switches 73 and 75 are manipulated by means of a master control switch 79 located preferably in the cab fromwhich the crane hook 17 is manipulated so that the operation of the doors may be controlled by thecrane operator. The switch 79 controls two circuits 8l and S3, including, respectively, the solenoids 85 and 87, which, in turn, respectively close the switches 73 and 75 when energized. The switches 73 and 75 are normally biased towardcpen position and, as soon as the circuits 81 and 83 are opened and the corresponding relays 35 and 87 deenergized, the switches 73 and 75 will move to the open position, so that the motor 31 will cease functioning.

In order to open the switches 73 and 75 automatically after the motor has traveled a predetermined number of revolutions in one direction, or the other, that is to say, when the door open or door closed position has been reached, I provide a pair of switches 39 and 91 respectively in series in the circuits 81 and 33. The switches 89 and 91 are normally closed but have cooperation with means indicated generally at 93 and actuated by the motor 31 preferably through a chain and gear mechanism indicated generally at 95 to open one of the switches when the door open position is reached, and-to open the other switch when the door closed position is reached. These switches are preferably mounted on the main frame of the device, adjacent the motor 31, and are connected to the relay solenoids 85 and 37 and to the switch 79 by means of a exible cable 97 containing four conductors, as illustrated. v-

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n Figures 4 and 5, a modified construction is illustrated, in which the channel irons 19 are provided with brackets 101 at each end of the main frame, carrying each' a shaft 103 having gears 105 at its opposed ends. The shafts 103 also carry sprockets 107 around which endless chains 109 operate. These chains extend inwardly and pass around smaller driving sprockets 111, mounted on shafts 113, carrying intermeshing gears 115. One of these gears 115 is driven from an electric motor 117 through a train of gears and pinions 119, the motor 117 and the gears being mounted on a frame portion 121, which, in turn, is secured to the main frame of the suspension device. By operating the motor 117, the pinions 111 may be driven in either direction and, in turn, through the chains 109, and cause the sprockets 107 and the gears 105 to rotate in the desired direction. Inwardly of the gears 105, the frame carries tilted pulleys, or shives, 123, around which travel flexible connectors 157 having hooks at their outer extremities 159 for connection with the loops 61 at the corners of the container.

The inner ends of the iiexible members 157, after passing around the pulleys 123, are attached by suitable connectors 125 to the inner ends of the chains 127, which extend outwardly and pass over the chain gears 105 and depend downwardly and are attached to a frame 129. Each frame 129, at opposite sides of the suspension device, is connected at its opposite ends to a chain 127, there being four chains 127, two at each end of the suspension device. Each frame 129 carries a hook 167 in position to engage the chain 69.

The control system illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, is applicable for the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. When the motor 117 is operated in one direction, the gears 105 will be rotated to raise the hook 167 and to lower the hooks 159 until the doors reach the closed position, at which time, the automatic switch mechanism 93 will operate to stop the motor 117. When the switch 79 is manipulated to operate the motor in the reverse direction, the hooks 169 will be lowered and the hooks 159 elevated in order to permit the doors 15 to reach the open position.

lt will be noted that the weight of the container is balanced against the weight of the doors and of the load suspended thereon, and that any di'erential in weights is taken up by the motor and the gearing by which the motor operates the hooks.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a frame, means to suspend the frame in operative position as from a crane hook, means to suspend the casing of the container from the frame, and power actuated door-shifting means mounted on the frame and connectible with the doors of the container to operate the same.

2. Apparatus for use in connection with a crane hook in the manipulation of a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a main frame adapted to be suspended on the crane hook, and means on the frame con nectible with the frame of the container for suspending the same from the frame, driving means comprising a motor mounted on the frame, and means to attach the motor to the container doors for the purpose oi opening and closing the same.

3. Apparatus for use in connection with a crane hook in the manipulation of a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a main frame adapted to be suspended on the crane hook, means on the frame connectible with the frame of the container for suspending the same from the frame, operating means on the frame and formed for detachable connection with the container doors for the purpose of opening and closing the same, said operating means including a motor and control means extending from the motor to a remote control point whereby the operation of the motor may be controlled from a distance.

4. Apparatus for use in connection with a crane hook in the manipulation of a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a main frame adapted to be suspended on the crane hook, means forming tilting frames at opposite ends of the main frame, means to connect the container casing to said tilting frames and door-operating means connecting the container doors to the tilting frames.

5. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position,

suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, and tilting means interconnecting said suspension means to bal ance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors.

6. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, and means carried by the frame and operable at will to shift the operative means in order to eiect a relative shifting of the doors and casing.

7. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, said operative means including a lever and means to shift one of said suspension means on the lever.

8. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, said' operative means including a lever, and means to shift the door suspension means on said lever.

9. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk lcontainer comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, said operative means comprising a chain operating on a sprocket mounted in the frame, and means to rotate said sprocket at will in order to relatively shift the door supporting and the casing supporting means.

10. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, and driving means, comprising an electric motor, mounted in the fra-me and connected to shift the operative means in order to relatively move the doors on the casing.

11. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operative means interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, driving means, comprising an electric motor, mounted in the frame and connected to shift the operative means in order to relatively move the doors on the casing, and control means permitting the motor to operate a predetermined distance in either direction in order to permit the relatively opening and closing movement of the doors with respect to the casing.

12. Apparatus for manipulating bulk containers comprising a casing having downwardly opening doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, suspension means to support the casing from the frame, suspension means to connect the doors of the container to the frame, operativemeans interconnecting said suspension means to balance the weight of the casing against the weight of the doors, driving means, comprising an electric motor, mounted in the frame and connected to shift the operative means in order to relatively move the doors on the casing, control means for said motor comprising a switch for driving the motor in one direction, another switch for driving it in the rever e direction, and limit means for opening said orn ng switches when the motor has travelled a predetermined distance.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the limiting switches are carried in the frame and the motor and limiting switches are provided with remote control connections extending to a remote control point, such as the control cab of the crane from which the device is manipulated by the crane operator.

14. Apparatus for manipulating a bull; con tainer including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, means to suspend the casing of the container on the frame, dooractuating means carried by the frame and shiftable on the frame and connectible with the doors of the container, and motor means on the frame cooperatively associated with the door-actuating means for shifting the same on the frame for the purpose of operating the doors.

15. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container including. a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, means to suspend the casing of the container on the frame, an electric motor on the frame, and means cooperatively associated with the motor and with the doors of the container whereby to utilize the power developed by the motor on the frame for opening and closing the doors.

16. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a main frame adapted to be supported in operativeposition, means to suspend the casing or" the container on the main frame, a sub-frame pivotally mounted on the main frame, door-operating means carried by the sub-frame and 'adapted to operatively connect Withtne doors of the containerand driving means carried by the main traine and operatively connected with the door-operating means for the purpose of opening and closing the doors through said means.

17. Apparatus for manipulating a bulk container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a main frame adapted to be supported in operative position, means to suspend the casing of the cont-aier on the main frame, a sub-frame comprising a wheel mounted on the main frame, door-actuating means carried by said wheel and adapted for connection with .the doo s of the container, and means carried by the main frame and operatively associated` with the door-actuating means to shift the door-actuating means on the wheel for the purpose of opening and closing the doors.

18. Apparatus for manipulating a bull: container including a casing having doors, said apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be supported in operative position, means to suspend the casing of` a bulk container on the frame, a winding drum on the frame, door-actuating means carried by winding drum and operatively connecting the doors of the container, and means on the frame and operatively connected to turn the windingr drum in order to shift the door-actuating means for the purpose of opening and closing the doors.

OSCAR L. COFFEY. 

